Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
11:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

2.5K

Reduced Let-7a Is Associated with Chemoresistance in Primary Breast Cancer

Jiannan Wu1, Shunrong Li2, Weijuan Jia2

  • 1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Depart of Breast Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun-Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.

Plos One
|July 29, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Lower let-7a microRNA expression is linked to epirubicin resistance in breast cancer. Increasing let-7a may improve chemotherapy response by enhancing apoptosis, suggesting it as a therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Chemotherapy resistance is a significant challenge in breast cancer treatment.
  • Predicting patient response to specific therapies is crucial for personalized medicine.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in cellular responses to drug-induced stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of let-7 miRNA in clinical breast tumors regarding chemotherapy sensitivity.
  • To determine if let-7a expression levels correlate with epirubicin resistance in breast cancer patients.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of modulating let-7a expression to overcome chemoresistance.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of let-7a expression in primary breast tumors.
  • In vitro studies involving resistant breast tumor cell lines.
  • Assessment of cellular apoptosis following let-7a upregulation and epirubicin treatment.

Main Results:

  • Lower let-7a expression was significantly associated with epirubicin resistance in primary breast tumors.
  • Upregulation of let-7a expression sensitized resistant breast cancer cells to epirubicin.
  • Enhanced cellular apoptosis was observed in cells with increased let-7a expression.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced let-7a miRNA expression contributes to chemoresistance in breast cancer.
  • let-7a may serve as a predictive biomarker for epirubicin response.
  • Modulating let-7a offers a potential therapeutic strategy to enhance epirubicin efficacy in breast cancer.

More Related Videos

Clinicopathological Analysis of miRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Tissues by Using miRNA In Situ Hybridization06:01

Clinicopathological Analysis of miRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Tissues by Using miRNA In Situ Hybridization

Published on: June 7, 2016

7.2K
Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells16:24

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells

Published on: February 21, 2014

20.8K

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
24.7K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
4.3K
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.9K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
9.1K